184 LAND TENURE 



ments to be subjects for compensation were much the same 

 as in the former Act, but were somewhat differently grouped. 

 The main point was, however, that compensation must always 

 be given, either under the Act or under a substituted agree- 

 ment. 



Three times during the year did the Council deal with the 

 law of distress. In February and April resolutions were 

 passed in favour of limiting the landlord's power of distress 

 to two years. The Government included this question as 

 part of the Agricultural Holdings Bill and, adopting the 

 recommendation of their Select Committee, limited it to one 

 year. In June the Council, after further discussion, reversed 

 their previous decision and agreed to the one year limit, 

 approving the mode in which this matter was dealt with by 

 the Government. 



At the annual meeting, 12th December, the following reso- 

 lution was carried by 18 votes to 2, on the motion of Mr. 

 Lipscomb : 



" That the provisions of the first section of the Act as to the 

 said ' inherent capabilities of the soil," 1 need not in practice affect 

 the improvements Nos. 22 and 23 in the Schedule."* 



The inclusion of these words in the Act was due to the insist- 

 ence of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, but during this debate Mr. 

 Lipscomb 's resolution was supported by Mr. Clare Sewell 

 Read and Mr. Thomas Duckham. A further resolution was 

 then agreed to, appointing a Special Committee which was 

 instructed to report " how far the proposals for a basis of 

 valuation emanating from the Lincolnshire and West Riding 

 Chambers are suitable for general application." This Com- 

 mittee consisted of the Chairman, Mr. Duckham, M.P. (Here- 

 fordshire), the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Chaplin, M.P., Mr. C. S. 

 Read (Norfolk), Mr. Bell (Northumberland), Mr. Bowen- 

 Jones (Shropshire), Mr. Little (Cambs), Mr. Heneage and 

 Mr. Finch-Hatton (afterwards Earl of Winchilsea and Notting- 

 ham) (both for Lincolnshire), Mr. Lipscomb (West Riding), 



* No. 22. Application of artificial or other purchased manure. 



* No. 23. Consumption on the holding of feeding stuffs not pro- 

 duced on the holding. 



